Traffic-control apparatus



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UNITED STATES EDWARD SWEETIM'AN, OF TOLEDO, OHIO.

' ramrc-colv'raon arraaarus.

Original application filed February 4,

-This invention relates to traffic control devices employed at street intersections for automatically directim traflic along such streets, but more partlcularly to apparatuses or switches which are recurrently operable to energize the traflic signals. This application constitutes a division of my application Serial No. 165,795, filed February 4th, 1927.

I An object of this invention is to provide a simple and efiicient trafiic control apparatus for. recurrently energizing traffic signals, which is so constructed that a plurality of street intersections may be automatically operated from a single 0 crating unit without mercury switches or evices of similar nature, which empirically have been found to be objectionable for continuous operation.

Another object of the invention is to provide a traffic control apparatus for control- '20 ling traffic signals in a plurality of intersections having new and improved features of construction to enable the timing of the signals to be readily and conveniently varied at will without stopping the operation of the apparatus.

Other objects will hereinafter appear.

In order that the invention may be fully understood, description is given of a system to which my control apparatus is admirably adapted, the system forming the subject matter of my co-pending application above referred to. Accordingly, for purposes of illustration and not of limitation, the invention is shown in the accompanying drawings, in which:

Fig. 1 is a diagrammatic view of the wiring for the traflic control system to illustrate the operation;

Fig. 2 is a vertical sectional view of the casing for the operating mechanism of the traffic control apparatus showing the parts in elevation;

Fig. 3 is a vertical sectional elevation of the casing showing the front View of the traffic control apparatus;

Fig. 4 is an enlarged vertical sectional elevation of the piston and cylinders;

Fig. 5 is a top viewof the cylinder showing the adjusting handle for regulating the timing of the. traflic. signals;

Fig. 6 is a transversesection on the line 6-6 of Fig. 4; and

Fig. 7 is a fragmentary sectional elevation of an alternating form of conductor for en gaging the contact elements.

1927, Serial No. 165,795. Divided and this application flied March 18, 1928. Serial No. 262,138.

In the embodiment of the invention shown on the drawings, lamps are used for signals, there being red lamps for stopping traflic, green lamps for moving traiiic and amber lamps for continuing traflic, the latter being d splayed between the green and red lamps, and these lamps being designated by the letters R A and G. On the drawings are ndicated signals on two streets for controlllng trafiic lenghtwise, andcrosswise of the drawing, and these signals are positioned at the street intersections,- as will be understood. The signals are arranged in groups A, 13, C, and D at the respective street intersections, and each group is composed of two sets of signallamps, one set for controlling crosswise traflic, and the other for controlhng lengthwise trailic, it being apparent that when the green lamps of one set are lighted the red lamps of the other set are lighted, 75 and that between changes from red to green, the amber lights of both sets are lighted.

As shown, the groups A and B are connected in parallel and may be continued at length. I Also the groups D and C are connected in parallel and then as many additional oups as desired may be added. The leads rom groups A and B are joined to connecting leads to which the leads from groups C and D are similarly connected. The connections in parallel between adjacent groups will be readily understood from an inspection of Fig. 1. and need not be described in detail, and the groups A and C are joined in a similar manner to the conmeeting leads so that detailed description of thegroup A and its leads is deemed suflicient. The group A consists of two sets of signal devices, the set a for controlling trafiic lengthwise of the drawing, and this set I) for controlling traffic crosswise of the drawing.

"As shown, each signal device consists of a red, amber and green lamp, which are nected to main leads 1, 2 and 3.

The red lamps of the seta are connected to the leads 3 by leads 4, the amber lamps being COIlconnected to the lead 2 by leads 5, and the green lamps to the lead 1 by leads 6. Similar sets of signal devices of the group B are similarly joined to main operating leads, 1, 2 and 108 3, and itwill be apparent that these leads may .be extended to any suitable length with as many groups of signal devices as desired joined thereto.

The red lamps of the set I) are joined to 110:

the lead 1 by leads 7, the amber lamps being connected to the lead 2 by leads 8, and the green lamps to the lead 3 by leads 9. From the above connections, it is manifest that the amber lamps of both sets are joined to the lead 2, but the green lamps of the set a are connected to the lead 1 while the green lamps of the set Z) are connected to the lead 3. The red lamps of the-set a are joined to the lead 3, but the red lamps of the set are joined to the lead 1,

The main operating leads 1, and 3 are separated to accommodate a blade switch 10 so that the normal operation of the signals of the groups A and B may be interrupted at will," and the ends of these leads are joined to connecting leads 11, 12 and 13 respectively. From the description so far, it is apparent when current is supplied to the connecting lead 11 the green lamps of set a and the red lamps of set I; are concomitantly lighted in groups A, B, G, and D, and also when current is supplied to the connecting lead 12, the amber lamps in both sets a and b are lighted. Further, when theconnectinglead 13 is energized, the red lamps of set a and green lamps of set 25 are simultaneously lighted in all groups of signals. Grounds for the various signal elements are indicated on the drawing by dotted lines terminatin in an element 13, and need not be described in detail. The switch 10 of either system may be manipulated to disconnect either or both systems from the connectin leads 11, 12 and 13. It will be evident t at when a switch 10 is thrown out, the respective system is dis-' connected, although the remaining systems are operatively connected to the connecting leads and may normally operate in an independent manner.

The connecting lead 11 is connected to contact strips 14, 14 and 14 by a power lead 15; the lead 12 being connected to strips 16, 16 and 16 by a power lead 17; and the lead 13 being connected to contact strips 18, 18 and 18 by a power lead 19. The power leads 15, 17 and 19 are interrupted by a switch 20 which may be manipu lated to disconnect all systems from the power source.

Current is supplied in well known manner to an element 21 which thru suitable instrumentalities may be successively and recurrently brought into contact with one set of strips 14, 16 and 18; 14 16, and 18 or 14", 16" and18 and thereby positively and concomltantly energize the signal devices. It

is to be noted that the upper and lower contact str1ps are of different lengths and this is to enable the period during which the various signal elements are displayed to be varied. If the movable contact element travels over the contact strips 14, 16 and 18, the green lamps of the sets a and red lamps of the sets 6 will be displayed for a longer period of time than the red lamps of the sets a and green lamps of the sets b which are controlled by the contact strip 18. The cont-act strip 16 controls the amber lamps as above mentioned.

The strips 14 and 18" are of substantially the same length so that the signals controlled thereby are displayed for periods of the same duration. The strip 14 being shorter than the strip 18, the result is the reverse of that described in connection with the strips 14, 16 and 18. His usually desirable to display the amber lights for the same period of time so no variation in the length of the contact strips is shown on the drawing.

The instrumentality which reciprocates over the contact strips and transmits energy from the element 21 controls the operation of all signals, and as above pointed out the interval during which the red and green lights are displayed, ma be varied at will.

-It is further apparent ;y the switches 10,

one system may be disconnected from the power source and the remainder operate normally and further that all systems may be thrown out by the switch 20 without the necessity of stopping or disconnecting the reciprocatory control instrumentality.

In emergencycases, as in the event of fire, it is desirable to stop all traflic along certain streets and cross streets. In accordance with'my invention, traific on certain streets may be stopped without disturbing the normal operation of signals along other streets. For this purpose, a power lead 22 extends from the live or power element 21, and is joined at its opposite end to a connecting lead 23 from which extend leads to the signal groups A, B, G and D, it being deemed suflicient to describe the connection to the group A.

For the group A, an operating lead 24 branches from the connecting lead 23, and is interrupted or broken by the switch 10. The operating lead 24 serves both groups A and B and may be continued at length. Branching from the operating lead 24 are leads 25 which are operatively connected to the red lamps of the sets 6; branch leads 26 from the operating lead 24 extend to the red, lamps of the sets a. By throwing the switch 10 upwardly in Fig. 1, the red lamp of both groups A and B are lighted, and trafiic at these intersections stopped. Such operation does not in any way affect the normal operation of the signals in groups C and D, but a switch is provided so that all red lamps of these groupsmay be lighted independently of the groups A and B.

There are occasions when it is necessary to stop all trailic in a certain community or district, and with my trafiic control system this may be readily accomplished. Branchmg from the power lead 22 is a lead 27 interru pted by the switch 20, and connected to a connecting lead 28 from which extends a branch lead 29 joining the operating lead 24 in the manner shown. It will be understood.'that a similar connection for the groups C and'D is provided, and for sake of brevity and clearness, description is given on}; in connection with groups A and B.

y moving the switch upwardly in Fig. 1, red lamps of all groups are simultaneously lighted. It is evident that this may be effected without stopping or otherwise disturbing the operation of reciprocatory or interrupting instrumentality for recurrently engaging the contact strips. Ma.- nipulation of the switch 20 may be independent of the switches 10.

It will be observed that I have provided a traffic control system utilizing a single control unit at a .central station. This obviates the necessity of using mercury relays which are well lmown to be sensitive to temperature changes, and therefore impractical. I have produced an arrangement whereby all stopping signals may be concomitantly displayed independent of the remainder, which ma continue their normal operation.

I t is to be definitely understood that although I have described my invention in connection with different colored lamps, other signal devices maybe used to advantage, and I do not intend the invention to be limited to the use of lamps. Furthermore, although I have shown a wiring system which is practical, numerous changes may be made without departing from the spirit of the invention, the showing on the drawing being by way of illustration and not of limitation.

For controlling the operation of the signal elements, I provide operating mechanism disposed within a housing 30 having a switch box 31.

Positioned within the housing 30' on a shelf 32 is an electric motor 33, which is connected through suitable gear reduction 34 and pinion 35 to a gear 36. on a horizontal shaft 37. Fixed to the outer end of the shaft 37 is a disc'38 having a crank 39 to which is pivoted a depending rod 40. The lower end of the rod 40 is connected by uni versal joint to a slide 41, which is vertically reciprocatory in guides 42, depending from the shelf 32.

Connected to the slide 41 for vertical reciprocatory movements therewith is a tubular rod 43 which is movable in a tubular bracket 44 suitably fixed to the lower end of the guide 42. The connection between the tubular rod 43 and slide 41 is such to permit turning movements of the rod relatively to the slide.

-Pivo tally connected to the lower end of the tubular rod 43 is a piston rod 45 which is electrically insulated from the rod 43 by a sleeve 46 of suitable' insulating material, the) in 47 connecting these parts being also insu ated from the rod 43 by bushings 48 of suitable insulating material. The piston rod 45 is of electrical conducting material and carries at its lower end a head 49 havmg transverse openings 50 therethrough.

The head 49 is reciprocable within a cylinder 51, which ma be filled with oil or other suitable liqui in order to prevent arcing and provide a uniform movement to the head, the opening 50 through the head enabling the liquid to flow from one side to the other after the manner of a dash pot. Fitting within the cylinder 51 is a sleeve 52 of bakelite or other suitable electrical insulating material, and formed in the sleeve are longitudinal grooves 53, 54 and 55. Arranged within the groovesv 53, 54 and 55 are contact strips. Within the groove 53 are the strips 14, 16 and 18; within the groove 54 are the strips 14*, 16 and 18; and within the groove 55 are the contact strips 14", 16 I and 18.

As shown in Fig. 6, bindingposts 56 insulated from the casing in a suitable manner extend outwardly from each contact strip and leads attached to the binding posts are arranged in a manner hereinbefore described.

For en 'agement with the contact strips in the cyllnder is an arcuatelyshaped strip 57 from which extends a pin 58, which engages the piston rod 45 at its inner end. In order to compensate'for wear and hold the plate 57 outwardly in contact with the adjacent contact strip, a coiled spring 59 encircles the pin 57.

From the above description it will be manifest that rotationof the disk 38 through the connections described reciprocates the piston rod 45 and moves the arcuatelyshaped contact strip '57 successively into engagement with a set of contact strips in the cylinder. It is to be noted that the strip 57 pin 58, piston rod 45 are of conducting mapost 62, bushings 60, piston rod 45, pin 58,

strip 57 contact strip engaged by the strip 57, and out through a binding post 56..

It will be noted that the contact strips secured to the insulating sleeve 52 are of different lengths, the purpose of this being heretofore pointed out. In order that the strip 57 may selectively engage the set of.

contact stripsin the insulating sleeve desired by the operator, a handle 63 is pivotally connected to a collar 64 fixed to the tubular shaft 43. The handle 63 may be turned horizontally in one direction or the other, and consequently the contact strip 57 on the piston head may be moved into position to engage one set of contact strips or another in the insulating sleeve 52 of the cylinder.

Formed on a bracket 65 adjacent the handle 63 are sockets 66, 67 and 68, corresponding to the three sets of contact strips in the insulating sleeve 52. This enables the operator readily to move the handle 63 to the proper position, and by placing the handle in one of the sockets, it will be held in the adjusted position.

In the alternate form shown in Fig. 7, the head 49* is provided with a plunger 69, the inner end of which is movable in an opening 70 formed in the piston rod 45. The plunger 69 is of conducting material, and is adapted to transmit current to the rod 45 The plunger 69 is urged outwardly by a coil spring 71 into engagement with a copper ball 72, which is adapted to engage the con: tact strips. The outer end of the plunger 69 is curved to fit the ball. In reciprocation of the head e19 it is apparent that the ball 72 is yieldingly held in engagement with the contact strips, and is adapted to roll,

thereover so as to reduce the friction between the head and contact strips and facilitate the movement of the plunger. Current passes through the ball 72 to the plunger 69, and from the plunger to the rod 45, as will be apparent.

While the form of mechanism here shown and described is admirably adapted to fulfill the objects primarily stated, it is to be understood that it is not intended to confine the invention to the forms of the-embodiment herein disclosed, and it is susceptible of embodiment in various forms, all coming within the scope of the claims which follow.v

What I claim as-new and desire to secure by Letters Patent is:

1. A tralfic control apparatus comprising a pair of relatively movable members, a plurality of annularly arranged rows of contact elements on one member, each row consisting of'a plurality of contact parts of un equal length, a part on the other member movable into selective engagement with said rows, manual means to move said part into engagement with a predetermined row, and power means to impart relative reciprocatory movement to said members.

' 2. A trafiiccontrol apparatus comprising a pair of relatively movable members, a

plurality of annularly arranged rows of contact elementson one member,- each row consisting of a plurality of contact parts of unequal length, a pair on the other member movable into selective engagement with said rows, lever means to move said part into engagement with a predetermined row, and power means to impart relative reciprocatory movement to said members.

3. A traflic control apparatus comprising a cylinder, a reci rocable piston in said cyv7o linder, a part 0 conducting material carried by and movable with said piston, a set of contact elements in said cylinder, saidelements being of different lengths and arranged to be successively engaged by said 75 part during relative reciprocatory movement of the cylinder and piston, another set of contact elements of difierent constructionthan said first set, and means to move said part into engagement with one set or the other and being operable during reciprocatory movement of saidpiston, -and means for reciprocating said piston.

4. A traflic control apparatus comprising a cylinder, a reciprooable piston in said cylinder, a part of conducting material carried by and movable with said piston. a set of contact elements in said cylinder, said elements being of different lengths and ar ranged to be successively engaged by said part during relative reciprocatory move" ment of the cylinder and piston, another set of contact elements of difi'erent construe-- tion than said first set, and means for turning said piston to cause said part to engage one set or the other and being operable dur-- ing reciprocatory movement of said piston, and means for reciprocating said piston.

5. A traflic control apparatus comprising a pair of relatively reciprocatory members,

a set of longitudinally arranged contact ele' ments of different lengths on one member. another set of contact elements of similar number but differently arranged from the first set, a part-of electrical conductive material on the other member engageable with either set and adapted to be move succes' sively into engagement with the contact elements of the respective set, means to shift said part to engage one set or the other, and

of one set being arranged differently from the eleinents of the other sets, a. part of electrical conductive material on said piston engageable successively with the contact elements of one of the sets, and means to shift said part to one position or another for engaging a predetermined set, said means being operable during the reciprocatory movement of said piston.

7. A traflic control apparatus comprising an operating unit consisting of a part havle therein and liquid in the cylinder, 115

ing sets of contact strips, a conductor enplunger movable in said cylinder provided gageable with said contact strips, and means with a conductor engageable successively l0 for adjusting the position of said conductor with said strips, and means for shifting said for engaging a predetermined set. plunger to position said conductor for en- 8. A trafiic control apparatus comprising ga 'ng difi'erent strips. an operating unit consisting of a stationary n testimony whereof I have hereunto cylinder having sets of longitudinally dissigned my name to this specification. posed contact strips of difi'erent lengths, a EDWARD C. SWEETMAN. 

